Inking mechanism for printing machines



y 1936- A. M. ZUCKERMAN ET AL 2,039,357

.INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS.

y 1936. A. M. ZUCKERMAN ET'AL 2,039,867

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHiNES 5 sheets-snetz Filed Feb. 3, 1934 May 5, 1936.

A. M. ZUCKERMAN ET AL INKING'MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 3, 1934 SSheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS A'r'rr y 1936- A. M. ZUCKERMAN ET AL 2,039,867

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 3, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 1936- A. M. ZUCKERMAN -Er AL 2,039,867

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 rucskz.

INVENTORS.

Patented May 5, 1 936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,939,861 INKING MECHANISM FOR rnnvrmc MACHINES York Application February 3, 1934, Serial No. 709,598 16 Claims. (01. 101- 351) This invention relates to certain improvements in inking mechanism for printing machines and more particularly to a mechanism for vibrating the ink distributing cylinders, including driving means and mountings therefor.

In the operation of the inking mechanism of a printing machine it is desirable to reciprocate certain ink rollers in an axial direction to properly distribute the ink over other ink rollers before said ink is applied to the printing form.

To actuate the mechanism for reciprocating certain ink rollers, the practice has been to take a drive from the form cylinder,'but since a drive to rotate the inking mechanism is also taken from the form cylinder, the combined drives were found to exert a heavy strain upon the form cylinder, especially in high speed presses. This condition has been overcome by arranging a drive for the reciprocating mechanism which is actuated directly from the main drive shaft.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide an improved means for reciprocating the ink distributing cylinders and an improved drive therefor which is actuated from 'the main drive shaft.

A further object is'to provide a drive for actuating the inking mechanism which can be op erated by power when said inking mechanism is in operative engagement with the form cylinder and which can also be operated by hand when the inking mechanism is removed from operative engagement with the form cylinder.

In general, this invention includes a bearing block in which one end of an ink distributing cylinder .is mounted, which bearing block is adapted to move freely within a support and to -be guided in its movement by means of a rack and pinion means, thereby providing a straight line motion with a minimum of friction between said moving bearing block and its support. Instead of driving the mechanism used to reciprocate the said bearing blocks and their associated ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, an improved drive has been arranged which is preferably taken from the main line shaft. Theinking mechanism and drive therefor is also arranged in such manner as topermit the whole to be removed out of operative relation with the form cylinder and a manually operated 1 mechanism is provided to actuate the inking mechanism when same is removed from the form cylinder.

With the above and other objects not "specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinations which will be fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings and the novel features pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed.

. In the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a printing machine with parts. shown in section and particularly relates to the inking mechanism;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2- 2 of Figure 1 showing both the manual and power drive for rotating two of the ink distributing cylinders;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken in the direction of arrow 3 of Figure l with part in elevation and showing a portion of the distributing cylinder vibrating mechanism;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken in the direc tion of the arrow 4 of Figure 1 with part in elevation and showing the manual drive mechanism for rotating and vibrating the ink distributing cylinders; v

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view-taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing the driving gears 4 the line '|'I of Figure 6 with parts broken away;

Figure 8 is a detail in elevation with part broken away, taken in the direction of the arrow .8 in Figure 4,.showing a clutch member with its ll indicates a base of a printing machine and |2.l2 indicates the side walls thereof. A form cylinder l3 andan impression cylinder H are mounted in suitable hearings in the side walls 12, and a bevel gear drive is provided, as indicated at i5, to rotate'the impression cylinder H from the main drive shaft IS. The form cylinder is power driven by a power drive (not shown).

A carriage indicated generally by the reference a rack and pinion drive [8 actuated by a hand wheel indicated diagrammatically at It.

The entire inking mechanism, indicated generally at 2|, is mounted on said carriage H, within the side walls I2a--I2a of same and comprises form rollers 22 which engage the form cylinder l3, ink distributing cylinders 23, and ink transfer rolls.24, all of which receive ink from a suitable ink supply 25. The ink distributing cylinders 23 are driven rolls which are power driven when the inking mechanism 2| is in operative relation with the form cylinder l3 or may be driven manually when the carriage I1 is moved rearward to withdraw the inking mechanism from operative relation with the form cylinder l3. Each of the remaining rollers, i. e., the form rollers 22 and ink transfer rollers 24 are rotated by frictional engagement with the ink distributing cylinders.

The power drive. for the ink distributing cylinders 23 is accomplished by means of a gear train comprising gears 26 secured to ink distributing cylinder shafts 21, and intermediate gears 28 mounted on suitable shafts or studs 29 extending from the side walls l2a-l2a, which gear train is driven from a power driven gear 3| on the form cylinder shaft 32.

As thus far described, the mechanism referred to and the function of same is commonly known and has been used in printing machines before;

In the description which is to follow, the improvements which particularly form the important features of this invention will be described.

Each of the ink distributing cylinders 23 is adapted to be reciprocated in an axial direction, which reciprocation is accomplished by means of a crank actuated mechanism connected to one end of each of the ink distributing cylinder shafts 2'! and a driving means for each of said shafts, which driving means is driven from the main drive shaft IS.

The crank actuated mechanism comprises three vertically disposed crank shafts 33, mounted in suitable brackets 34-34a, and having crank portions 35, said crank shaftshaving gears 36 secured to the lower ends thereof which are driven by means of spur gears 31 and 38, and bevel gears 39 and 4|, the latter gear 4| being secured to the main drive shaft Hi. The lower bracket 340 forms a housing for the crank shaft gears 36 and a cover 34b over said bracket 34a forms a complete closure for same.

Each ink distributing cylinder 23 has one projecting shaft end 21 mounted in a bearing block 42, which bearing block is slidably mounted within one side wall I21: and comprises a sleeve 43, having an internal shoulder 44. A cap 45 has one reduced end 46 which fits within one end of the sleeve 43 and is secured thereto by means of bolts 41:" Two ears 43, extending outwardly from said cap have openings 49 to receive a wrist pin said wrist pin being secured by means of a set screw 52.

A connecting link 53 engages the wrist pin 5| and the crank portion 35 of one of the crank shafts 33, which upon rotation of the crank shaft will cause the bearing block 42 to be moved inward and outward and thereby vibrate the ink distributing cylinder 23. An anti-friction bearsupport 56 situated within a recess in the side wall l2 beneath said bearing block. The rollers engage a flattened lower surface 51 of the bearing block 42 and a flat surface 53 of their support 56, and have pinions 53 secured at their ends,

as clearly shown in Figure 6. Said pinions 53 are adapted to engage upper and lower rack members 6| and 62 respectively, the upper rack members 6| being secured to the lower portion of the sleeve 43, and the lower rack members being formed on the support 56. End plates 63 are provided to retain the support 56 within the wall l2a.

It will be obvious that with the structureprovided for the mounting of the bearing block 42 as described, a free sliding straight line movement will be provided.

While the mounting of the bearing block 42 is shown and described as on one side wall, it is to be understood that a similar mounting will be provided for the opposite end of the ink distributing cylinder shaft 21 in the other side wall, but the crank actuated driving means therefor will only be provided at one end.

When the type plates on the form cylinder 13 are to be removed and a new set placed thereon, the carriage I1 is moved to'the left, as viewed .from Figure 1, to remove the inking mechanism from contact with said form cylinder and leave suflicient space for a man to get between said cylinder and inking mechanism. In order to move the carriage, a number of lock bolts 64, conveniently located at each side of the press such as shown in Figures 2 and 5 are first released by backing on nuts 64a and swinging the bolts outward. Having thus released the carriage from the press, the handwheel I9 is next rotated to move the carriage with its inking mechanism, away from the form cylinder. During this movement, the crank shaftpower driving gears become separated at the point indicated by the arrow A, Figure 5, and the gearing for rotating the inking mechanism becomes separated from the power drive at the point indicated by the arrow B, Figure 2. 1

It is desirable, after changing the type plates on the form cylinder, to ink up the inking mechanism before moving same into operative relation with the form cylinder. To accomplish this, a hand operated driving mechanism is provided on the carriage, which is best shown in Figures 2 and 4. Said hand operated mechanism comprises a pair of bevel gears 6556 arranged in driving relation. The driving gear 65 is keyed to a shaft 51, mounted in the carriage wall l2a, which shaft has an outward extension 63, with a squared end formed thereon, to receive a handle or other suitable means for turning same.

An intermediate gear 23 is mounted on the inner end of the shaft 61 in free running relation therewith and a clutch member 69 is mounted on the intermediate gear. Said clutch member 33 comprises an outer ring I l, a sleeve 12, free to rotate within said outer ring and keyed to the shaft 68, and an end plate 13 to'retain the parts in assembled relation, which end plate is secured by screws 13a, said screws passing through the outer sleeve H and into the intermediate gear 23,

as shown in Figure 9. Pins 14 are loosely poslp.

tioned within cam slots I5 in the outer ring II, as shown in Figure 8. The said pins I4 are adapted to ride freely over the periphery of the A the sleeve 1: or the shaft :0. When, however,

the inking mechanism is to be driven manually,

the shaft 61 is rotated, and being keyed to the sleeve 12, will rotate same in a direction which will cause the pins 14 to be moved to the narrow portion of the cam' slot 15, where they will become wedged between the wall of the slot and the *eriphery of the sleeve 12, and thereby cause the gear 28 to be rotated.

The driven bevel gear 66 is secured to one end of a shaft 18, which shaft is journaled in bearings 11 and 18 formed on the lower bracket 34a and its cover 34b respectively. A pinion 18 on the shaft 16 engages a gear 8| mounted on, a shaft 82, supported in bearings 83 and 84 in the bracket 34a and cover 341), which gear has a reduced end 85 adapted to loosely fit within. a recess 86 of an intermediate gear 81.

the main drive shaft l8 through gears 81, 38, 88, and 4 I. When, however, the hand actuated bevel gear drive is operated, the reduced end 85 of the gear 8| will be clutched with the wall of the recess 86, of the intermediate gear 81, by means of pins drive are so coordinated as to cause a printing press of'the high speed type to be operated in a most efficient manner.

' While the invention has been shown and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that certain changes and variations maybe made in the specific structure provided for carrying out the invention without however departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. Ink distributing mechanism for a printing machine, including in combination, a main drive, a form cylinder and ink distributing cylinders, gearing .to rotate said form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate said ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, means for vibrating the ink distributing cylinders, and gearing to actuate said vibrating means from the main drive.

.2. In a printing machine, a main drive, a form cylinder and inking mechanism therefor, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to rotate said form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate said ink distributingv cylinders from the form cylinder, crank actuated means adapted to vibrate the ink distributing cylinders, and gearing to actuate said crank actuated means from the main drive.

3. In a printing machine, a main drive, a form cylinder and inking mechanism therefor, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to rotate said form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate saidink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, vertically disposed crank members adapted to vibrate the ink distributing cylinders, and a gear train connected in driving Said intermediate gear 81 forms part of the crank shaft gear drive train, and is adapted to rotate freely when driven from relation with said crank members and driven from the main drive.

4.-Ink distributing mechanism for a printing machine comprising in combination, a main drive, a form cylinder rotatably driven from said main drive, a movable carriage, ink transfer rolls, ink

distributing cylinders and mechanism for rotating'and vibrating the ink distributing cylinders mounted on said carriage, whereby the ink distributing mechanism is adapted to be moved clear of the form cylinder when changing the drive to actuate the ink distributing cylinder vibrating mechanism when said ink distributing mechanism is in operative engagement with the form cylinder, and a hand manipulated drive to actuate the ink distributing mechanism independently when the carriage is moved clear of the form'cylinder. I

5. In a printing machine, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor, a movable carriage to support said inking mechanism, said inking mechanism comprising ink transfer rolls, ink distributing cylinders and mechanism for rotating and vibrating said ink distributing cylinders, gearing driven from the main drive to actuate the ink distributing cylinder vibrating mechanism when the inking mechanism is in operative relation with the form cylinder, and a manually operated drive to independently actuate the inking mechanism when the carriage and the inking mechanism carried thereby is in nonoperative relation with the form cylinder.

6. In a printing machine, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor mounted upon a movable carriage, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in operative relation with the form cylinder, a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when in a non-operative relationwith the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, and means for vibrating the ink distributing cylinders, which means is actu ated by both the power and manual drives.

7. In a printing machine, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor mounted upon a movable carriage, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in operative relation with the form cylinder, a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when-in a non-operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, means for vibrating the ink distributing cylinders, ,a power drive for said vibrating means through gearing driven from the main drive shaft, and clutch means to permit the' inking mechanism to be driven in a similar manner when manually operated.

8. In a printing machine, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor mounted upon a movable carriage, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in operative relation with the form cylinder, a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when in a non-operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls type plate thereon, gearing driven from the main and ink distributing cylinders included in said movable carriage adapted to support Said inking mechanism and to be moved into or out of operative relation with the form cylinder, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in an operative relation with the form cylinder and a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when out of operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink disrelation with the form cylinder and a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when out of operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to rotate the form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate the ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, means to vibrate the ink distributing cylinders, gearing to actuate said vibrating means from the main drive, and clutch mechanism cooperating with the power drive and the hand drive for said inking mechanism to permit either the power drive or the hand drive to be used independently.

ll. In a printing machine, a main drive, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor, a movable carriage adapted to support said inking mechanism and to be moved into or out of operative relation with the form cylinder, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in an operative relation with the form cylinder and a manually operative drive for said inking mechanism when out of operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to rotate the form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate the ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, means to vibrate the ink distributing cylinders, gearing to actuate said vibrating means from the main drive, and clutch mechanism interposed in the gearing which rotates the ink distributing cylinders and in the gearing which actuates the vibrating means, whereby either the power drive or the manually operated drive may be operated independently of each other to actuate said inking mechanism.

12. In a printing machine, a main drive, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor, a movable carriage adapted to support said inking mechanism and to be moved into or out of operative relation with the form cylinder, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in an operative relation with the form cylinder and a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when out of operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to rotate the form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate the ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, crank actuated means adapted to vibrate the ink distributing cylinders, and gearing to actuate said vibrating means from the main drive.

13. In a printing machine. a main drive. a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor, a movable carriage adapted to support said inking mechanism and to be moved into or out of operative relation with the form cylinder, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in an operative relation with the form cylinder and a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when out of operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to rotate the form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate the ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, and means to vibrate the ink distributing cylinders, which means comprises crank shafts having a reciprocating drive connection with said ink distributing cylinders and actuated by a gearing driven from the main drive shaft.

14. In a printing machine, a main drive, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor, a movable carriage adapted to support said inking mechanism and to be moved into or out of operative relation with the form cylinder, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in an operative relation with the form cylinder and a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when out of operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to r0- tate the form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate the ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, a vibrating mechanism for axially reciprocating the ink distributing cylinders, and gearing driven from the main drive to actuate the vibrating mechanism, said gearing being adapted to become separated when the carriage is moved to shift the inking mechanism out of operative relation with the form cylinder and thereby break the driving relation between said vibrating mechanism and the main drive.

15. In a printing machine, a main drive, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor, a movable carriage adapted to support said inking mechanism and to be moved into or out of operative relation with the form cylinder, 2. power drive for said inking mechanism when in an operative relation with the form cylinder and a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when out of operative relation with the form cylinder, inktransfer rolls andink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to rotate the form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate the ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, a vibrating mechanism for axially reciprocating the ink distributing cylinders, said vibratingmei-hanism comprising vertically disposed crank shafts connected in driving relation with one end of each ink distributing cylinder, horizontally disposed gears connected to said crank shafts, and gearing to connect same with the main drive.

16. In a. printing machine, a main drive, a form cylinder and an inking mechanism therefor, a movable carriage adapted to support said inking mechanism and to be moved into or out of operative relation with the form cylinder, a power drive for said inking mechanism when in an operative relation with the form cylinder and a manually operated drive for said inking mechanism when out of operative relation with the form cylinder, ink transfer rolls and ink distributing cylinders included in said inking mechanism, gearing to rotate the form cylinder from the main drive and gearing to rotate the ink distributing cylinders from the form cylinder, a vibrating mechanism for axially reciprocating the ink distributing cylinders, said vibrating mechanism comprising vertically disposed crank shafts connected in driving relation with one end of each ink distributing cylinder, horizontally disposed gears connected to said crank shafts, gearingto connect same with the main drive, and clutch members interposed in the gearing which rotates to function in the same manner when either power 5 or manually operated.

. ADOLPH M. ZUCKERMAN. HERMAN P. CLAUBERG. 

